AUWU condemns proposed $75 per week JobSeeker increase
Josh Frydenberg must commit to keeping people out of poverty by making the current JobSeeker rate permanent
The AUWU condemns the government’s planned $75 per week JobSeeker increase reported in right-wing media outlets today.
If the government proceeds with this they will throw millions into deep poverty at a time when more people than ever before rely on these payments.
We again call upon treasurer Josh Frydenberg to commit to making the full $275 per week JobSeeker supplement permanent to keep people out of poverty.
It comes as no surprise that the government would choose the smallest increase previously called for, a figure supported by neoliberal institutions like the Deloitte Access Economics and the Business Council of Australia.
For too long anti-poverty campaigners were cowed by government cruelty.
The demand for a $75 per week increase was a compromise position formulated by people who don’t live on JobSeeker. It was not enough on the day it was proposed and anti-poverty advocates should never have put forward a figure that kept us below the poverty line.
Remaining in lock-step hasn’t made us stronger, it’s handed the government a coup that will further entrench poverty. The AUWU will no longer accept low ambitions – we will only campaign for clear demands that fully support the needs and dignity of unwaged, underemployed and insecure workers.
The government has openly acknowledged that any rate below the poverty line is unliveable. The only moral position is to #KeepTheRate, permanently increasing JobSeeker by $550 per fortnight at a minimum.
All grassroots groups support welfare payments above the poverty line as the only acceptable policy, and we will continue working to push politicians, the labour movement and community organisations to vocally support our demands.
Social security should mean we’re all above the poverty line.
Media contact: 0413 261 362 / media @ auwu.org.au
Background
On the current JobSeeker rate of $1115 per fortnight:
1.5% of rental properties are affordable*
33% of people are still skipping meals due to a lack of funds^
41.2% of people are still struggling to pay for medication, dental, psychology, physiotherapy and other healthcare costs^
Sources: *Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot April 2020; ^survey conducted by ACOSS June 2020
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